The Trojan Horse of Neoliberalism
We’re all familiar with one of the founding stories of western literature about the decade long siege on the city of Troy by the Greeks. This story is penned in Homor’s Odyssey and later in the Aenied of Virgil and tells the tale of ultimate subterfuge. The plan was based on the deception of a false gift, the Wooden Horse given to Troy as a Victory Trophy. The Trojans were immediately taken, and as the Greeks sailed away from their abandoned positions, they celebrated even as they moved Greek troops into their secure city unawares. Once everyone relaxed and got intoxicated from celebrating, the Greek troops popped out of the horse and took the city down.
When the 1960s revolution directly threatened to take over the modes of production, the capitalist elites teamed up with economic professors (many from the University of Chicago) and devised a plan. For this plan to work it would take a generation or more, but with sustained resources and micro tactics deployed in strategic ways, they would succeed.
Their plan was to secure the power of the corporate elite once and for all by undermining any way to hold the corporations and financial industries (banks, Wall Street etc.) in check through a democratic, public processes. In other words, they needed to limit government (cutting taxes for the rich; radically deregulate business practices especially those designed to protect citizens and the environment; and heavily invest in police and military assets to secure their position of power against oppositional democratic movements). To accomplish this crucial task, they needed to win by aiding and promoting those who are willing to support them. This wasn’t difficult as they had the financial resources to ensure this. This too meant that both the Republicans & Democrats could be used as a means to unfold their long-term goals. Money is no security for democracy.
Read more at https://gcasblog.wordpress.com/2015/01/19/the-trojan-horse-of-neoliberalism/
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